CVE-2023-40291Public exploit

Physical root access via project-name SSH password

Published Aug 14, 2023 · Updated Oct 9, 2024

Improper access control in Harman Infotainment 20190525031613 allows physically proximate attackers to obtain root SSH access. The SSH service accepts an internal project name as the root password on the USB network interface. Physical connection through a USB-to-Ethernet dongle is required; successful authentication grants full control of the infotainment system.

CVSS severity6.8
Medium
EPSS probability0.50%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper access control in Harman Infotainment 20190525031613 allows physically proximate attackers to obtain root SSH access. The SSH service accepts an internal project name as the root password on the USB network interface. Physical connection through a USB-to-Ethernet dongle is required; successful authentication grants full control of the infotainment system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-40291
Published
Aug 14, 2023
Updated
Oct 9, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1078.001
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 14, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 9, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1078.001Valid Accounts: Default Accounts

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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